Exploring the Snowy Range Scenic Byway 41 2Nd Street Old Corral Hotel Centennial, WY 82055 2750 Hwy

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Albany Lodge Friendly Motel 1148 Hwy 11 Albany, WY 2758 Hwy. 130 www.albanylodge.com Centennial, WY (307) 745-5782 (307) 742-6033 www.friendlycentennial.com Antlers Inn & Cabins J4Brehm’s Ranch 2753 WY-130 Centennial 1218 Hwy. 130 (815) 600-4500 (307) 742-2807 www.antlerswyoming.com/ www.j4brehmsranch.com accommodations Mountain Meadow Cabin Aspen Creek Cabin 3519 Hwy. 130 Centennial, 1124 State Hwy 11 Albany WY WY 82055 (307) 742-6042 (303) 437-0001 www.mtnmeadowcabins.com www.aspencreekcabin.com Mountain View Historic Brooklyn Lodge Hotel 3540 Hwy. 130 2747 Hwy. 130 Centennial, Centennial, WY 82055 WY 82055 (307) 742-3588 (307) 742-6916 www.themountainviewhotel. com Centennial Trust Co. Exploring the Snowy Range Scenic Byway 41 2nd Street Old Corral Hotel Centennial, WY 82055 2750 Hwy. 130 Centennial, (307) 721-4090 WY 82055 (307) 745-5918 The Snowy Range Scenic Byway (WY 130) offers estimated 8,000 years. It is believed that ancestors of Plains www.oldcorral.com countless opportunities for outdoor adventures. Possible Indian tribes inhabited the region. The Northern Arapaho, Double Mule Shoe activities include camping, fishing, hiking, biking, Oglala Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, Eastern Shoshone, and Cabins Snowy Hideout climbing, wildlife viewing, cross-country skiing, the White River Utes all frequented the area. The land was 14 Fox Creek Rd. 63 2nd St Centennial snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and lodging in resorts and ideal for peoples who could be nourished by the abundance (307) 742-5629 (308) 870-2871 cabins throughout the mountains. During your travels on of resources. From the forests they could gather the prime www.doublemuleshoeranch. www.snowyhideout.net the Scenic Byway, there will be many chances to view lodgepole pinewood to be used for com wildlife, foliage, high alpine lakes and a variety of teepee poles and firewood. The ecosystems that are teeming with life. soothing mineral hot springs along The Snowy Range Scenic Byway was originally a the banks of the North Platte River wagon road built in the 1870s. In the 1920s the road was provided a welcome place to “make • Medicine Bow National Forest maps widened and smoothed using horse-drawn equipment. medicine” to cure their ills and to may be obtained at the Forest Service It was later paved in the 1930s and in 1988 was hold ceremonial pow-wows. Byway Visitor Center or at the designated as the nation’s second Scenic Byway. Once Truly a “land of many uses,” Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest completed, it came to be known as the “Great Skyroad.” the Snowy Range today supports Office at 2468 Jackson Street, in Laramie. This route over the Snowy Range is one of the shortest an active timber harvesting More info: of Wyoming’s scenic byways. Visitors can enjoy a day- industry in addition to providing Indian Paintbrush gives • The Snowy Range Scenic Byway is trip through the region, or stay multiple nights atop the traditional livestock forage, color to our foothills open from late May until closed by snow mountain or in any neighboring town. The Byway is the watershed and outdoor recreation and prairies. The again on early to mid-November. second highest mountain pass in Wyoming. Snow benefits. The Scenic Byway has official flower of the typically closes the highest section of the road in the variety of look-out points where state of Wyoming, this Laramie Area Visitor Center month of November, and it remains closed for the visitors can stop to appreciate the symbol was adopted 210 E. Custer Street duration of the winter and well into spring. Snowplows panoramic views along the Snowy by the Scenic Byway Laramie, WY 82070 usually work to re-open the road in May, right around Range. During your drive remem- program and appears (307) 745-4195 or 800-445-5303 Memorial Day weekend. ber to be cautious of wildlife near on roadside signs all www.visitlaramie.org The land known as the Medicine Bow-Routt National the road, especially during early across the state. Forest has a rich and expansive history dating back an morning and late evening hours. eagles, and wild turkeys may also show themselves along Start your tour the waterways in the area and in the lower lands outside the Scenic Byway.

Leaving Laramie and traveling west on the Scenic 12. Ryan Park Campground Byway, you will drive through the open plains of the old Ryan Park Campground is one of the largest in the west where it is not uncommon for visitors to see deer forest. It was named after the historic internment camp and antelope play. Just twenty-seven miles west of also known as Ryan Park. The camp was built to house Laramie, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, you’ll find German prisoners during World War II and is now on the historic mining town of Centennial. the National Register of Historic Places.

Special Attractions 13. Riverside and Encampment As the Scenic Byway drops out of the mountains, the The region near Medicine Bow Peak is home to the road splits. To the south are the towns of Riverside and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, yellow-bellied marmots, Encampment. The latter is home to the Grand pikas and blue grouse. The many mountain lakes and Encampment Museum. Lodging, meals, gas, gifts and streams in the area are rich with rainbow trout, brook western style saloons are all accessible roadside. Laramie trout and the cutthroat (Wyoming’s only native trout). can be reached from Riverside and Encampment via Hwy The Scenic Byway takes travelers from sagebrush prairies 230 North. to a high-altitude alpine environment that is representa- tive of the diversity of life within the Rocky 14. Saratoga Mountains. Near the summit is an old growth spruce-fir To the north just a few miles is the town of Saratoga, forest containing the unique krummholz trees which situated on the North Platte River. This quaint have been shaped over time by the blustering winds and community is home to an historic old west hotel, other freezing temperatures high atop the mountain. The abun- lodging and restaurants, gift shops, art galleries, a golf dance of large trees, and understory of young trees, to- course and a bustling airport. While there, relax in the gether with the presence of krummholz and decaying logs, natural hot springs (free to the public and open 24 hours furnish a home to wildlife not found in younger forests. a day, year-round). This side of the mountain presents A study in contrast, patches of snow cover Medicine Bow Peak The pine marten, red-backed vole, ruby-crowned kinglet, varied travel options depending on your personal time- while brightly colored wildflowers and plush green vegetation dis- three-toed woodpecker and boreal owl are but a few of the table and intended destinations. Snowy Range Scenic play the diversity of Wyoming’s landscape. Photo by Joyce Powell species that inhabit Wyoming’s oldest forest. Byway, highway 130, through the beautiful Snowy Range Mountains intersects with I-80 just north of Saratoga.

Lake Marie and the Byway view from the top of Medicine Bow Peak. The sounds of rushing water peacefully cut through the quiet on Locals and visitors alike can enjoy great fishing in the lakes and Photo by Brian Guice the mountaintop as snowmelt runs off a glacier lake. rivers of Wyoming. Featured here is a brown trout caught on the Photo by Conrad Chavez North Platte River. Photo by BHP Images 7. Libby Flats Range Ski Area, a popular winter destination for skiers The highest point on the Snowy Range Scenic Byway, Byway Itinerary and snowboarders, and the turnoff for Sand Lake Road, a Libby Flats is over 10,000 feet above sea level. From the gravel forest road accessing trails on the north end of the scenic overlook at the summit, a breathtaking view of Snowy Range. several mountain ranges cascades before you. This 1. Centennial, Wyoming observation site provides visitors the experience of Centennial was founded in 1876. This small, friendly 4. Greenrock Picnic Area amazing scenery in all directions. This includes Rocky town offers an assortment of services, various points of Greenrock Picnic Area is just west of the intersection Mountain National Park to the south, Medicine Bow interest, and a vibrant creative community to visitors of Barber Lake Road and the Scenic Byway. Heading Peak to the west, the Sierra Madre Mountains, Mt. Zirkel of all kinds. Attractions include a local museum, lively west, Highway 130 follows the Little Laramie River where Wilderness Area, and the Laramie Mountains to the east. eateries, lodging, rustic cabins, gifts, and several buildings yellow-bellied marmots can be seen sunbathing on granite that maintain their old western charm. The Centennial rocks. When in season, wildflowers are also abundant Valley, along the Little Laramie River, is dotted with here. Particularly notable is the Indian Paintbrush, working cattle and guest ranch facilities. Stop by the Nici Wyoming’s official state flower. Once heavy snowfall Self Museum which houses the historic railroad depot, or arrives, the Scenic Byway closes at this point and pick up a walking tour brochure of Centennial. snowmobiling becomes a very popular attraction.

2. Visitor Center (east end) 5. Brooklyn Lake Road Looking west from the Snowy Range Scenic Byway. The land- The Scenic Byway climbs into the Snowy Range Continuing west on the Scenic Byway is the turnoff for scape has a history all its own. Photo by Conrad Chavez Mountains and enters Medicine Bow National Forest. Brooklyn Lake Road. An excursion down this road leads Just east of Centennial is a Visitor Center that is typically to several lakes that are easily accessible by automobile. open 9am-5pm, Tuesday through Sunday, from Memorial Other lakes can be reached via a network of hiking trails visitors can take a quick walk to Lake Marie Falls. Day weekend through mid-October. Opening dates and from this point. Saint Alban’s, a small outdoor Episcopal At 10,000 feet above sea level, Libby Flats is the highest point A second parking area nearby serves as trailhead parking times can vary, however, depending on staffing chapel near Little Brooklyn Lake, is frequently the site of along the Byway. This scenic overlook offers a breathtaking view for French Creek Canyon Trail, Tipple Trail and Miner’s availability. Here visitors can obtain maps, brochures, weddings and other ceremonies in the warmer months. of several regional mountain ranges. Photo by Elinor Olson Cabin Trail on the south side of the Scenic Byway. passes, permits, books, and schedules for interpretive programs. After the Visitor Center, the drive follows 6. Sugarloaf Recreational Area 10. Silver Lake Overlook Libby Creek and winds past the Snowy Range Ski Area As the altitude increases, a definite ecological shift in 8. Snowy Range Observation Point On your way down the mountain, a pullout on the just five miles up the road from Centennial. the vegetation marks the turnoff for the Sugarloaf A short distance past Libby Flats, on the west side of south side of the road offers a spectacular view of Silver Recreation Area. Also nearby are Libby and Lewis lakes the road, is the trail to the Miner’s Cabin. A loop trail Lake and the surrounding area. Trails lead to the lake 3. Barber Lake and Libby Creek and picnic grounds. The gravel road ends at a trailhead from the observation point leads to the Red Mask Mine. and to the Meadow Falls. Expect some campground and Barber Lake Road, just off the main Scenic Byway, leads which leads to over eighty mountain and glacial lakes as Out of operation since the 1920s, the trail passes old picnic area closures due to hazardous trees in the area. to several small campgrounds. These sites are able to well as the summits of Sugarloaf Mountain (11,398 ft.) mining equipment and a nearby miner’s cabin. West of Silver Lake, the Scenic Byway descends through accommodate both tent and RV campers, though it and Medicine Bow Peak (12,013 ft.), both popular Interpretive signs along the trail describe these sites and a spruce, fir, and pine forest, past mountain lakes and should be noted that electrical hookups are not available. destinations for adventurous hikers. identify the unique vegetation that has adapted to the streams, and eventually the Headquarters Park parking This side road takes visitors alongside Libby Creek before sometimes inhospitable climate. At this high altitude, area. A rough four-wheel drive road provides access to the rejoining the Scenic Byway. The views in autumn are strong winds are the norm and precipitation comes north and west sides of the Snowy Range and Medicine particularly spectacular along this road, and during the Wherever you are along the Scenic Byway, have your camera mostly in the form of snowfall. Bow Peak. winter months it doubles as a cross-country ski trail. Tak- ready to capture the memorable views around every bend. ing Barber Lake Road bypasses the entrance to the Snowy Photo by Brian Guice 9. Mirror Lake and Lake Marie 11. Ralph Heston Viewing Platform Below the summit are the picturesque Mirror Lake, and The Ralph Heston Viewing Platform features an its sister, Lake Marie. Both lakes are glacier-fed and reflect accessible fishing pier over French Creek. Here the creek the majesty of Medicine Bow Peak. On a clear day, visitors meanders slowly through willows, providing wildlife with can see the Wyoming sky reflected on the surface of these plenty of food and shelter. Nearby, an interpretive infor- crisp mountain waters. Because of their incredible beauty, mation site gives visitors a glimpse into the world of the these lakes are frequented by artists and photographers. local beaver population. Nearby, an interpretive During the early summer months, take note of the pink information site illustrates the beavers’ world in human “watermelon” snow caused by bacteria that thrives on the terms. Keep an eye out for mule deer, common inhabi- year-round glacial snow. The quartzite peaks are estimated tants of the area. Moose, elk, bears, bald eagles, and wild to be two billion years old, with even older rocks existing turkeys may also be present along waterways in the region beneath them. Across from the Lake Marie parking area and in the lower lands outside the Scenic Byway. Visit the Nici Self Historical Museum in Yellow-bellied Marmot Safe, scenic Centennial for an authentic community perched near Libby Flats and secluded experience celebrating the region’s history. Observation Lookout. campsites available year-round.

Bull Moose spotted grazing lakeside along Highway 130.

Key 1. Centennial, WY 8. Red Mask Mine 2. Visitor Center (east end) 9. Mirror Lake & Lake Marie Mule deer are 3. Barber Lake & Libby Creek 10. Silver Lake Overlook Open areas along Wildflowers, one often seen grazing the road are 4. Greenrock Picnic Area 11. Ralph Heston Viewing Platform Great fishing in the of the greatest joys roadside in home to Willow, 5. Brooklyn Lake Road 12. Ryan Park Campground pristine, open waters of along the Scenic Centennial. Aspen, and 6. Sugarloaf Recreation Area 13. Riverside & Encampment Wyoming. Byway. 7. Libby Flats 14. Saratoga Cottonwood trees.